Legal Service means giving any service in the conduct of any case or other legal proceeding before any Court or other Authority or Tribunal. It also includes the giving of advice on any legal matter.
FAQs
Free Legal Aid is the provision of legal assistance to persons who are unable to engage an Advocate due to economic or other disabilities. This includes:
Enforcement of rights or redressing grievances in Courts/Tribunals.
Approaching offices for legal benefits.
Legal advice and consultation.
The Manipur MASLSA covers the fees for Advocates, typing/copying charges, and other miscellaneous costs.
Payment of Court fees and process fees.
Expenses of witnesses and other charges incurred in legal proceedings.
Representation by an Advocate.
Supply of certified copies of judgments, orders, and evidence.
Preparation of pleadings, memos of appeal, and printing/translation of documents.
Drafting of legal documents and Special Leave Petitions (SLP).
Members of Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Any person with an annual income of less than ₹3 Lakh (in Manipur).
Women and Children (regardless of income).
Victims of trafficking or beggars.
Mentally ill or disabled persons.
Victims of mass disasters, ethnic violence, floods, droughts, earthquakes, or industrial disasters.
Industrial workmen.
Persons in custody (under-trial prisoners, juveniles in protective homes, or patients in psychiatric hospitals).
No. Free legal aid is generally not provided for:
Defamation.
Malicious prosecution.
Election matters.
Economic offences.
Offences against social laws (e.g., Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955).
Cases where the applicant is a formal party not materially affected by the outcome.
Application Form: Submit a signed application form to the Manipur MASLSA Office (Lamphel), the nearest District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), or the Taluk Legal Services Committee (TLSC).
Availability: Forms can be downloaded from the official website or obtained in person from the MASLSA/DLSA/TLSC offices.
Persons in Custody: Prisoners can make a verbal request for legal aid to the concerned Court during their production.
Legal aid may be cancelled if:
The aid was obtained via fraud or misrepresentation.
The person does not cooperate with the assigned Advocate or Authority.
The person engages a private lawyer outside the assigned one.
The application is found to be an abuse of the process of law.